District 155 board to vote on budget

Like many school districts in the state, Crystal Lake High School District 155 was saved by the federal government this year.

Because of a large injection of federal dollars channeled through the state and special education grants, District 155 expects to finish the 2009-10 school year with a budget that is more or less balanced.

But with inflation grinding to a halt and federal stimulus money drying up after next year, District 155 officials are worried about the future.

"We have not had to make cuts this year," District 155 Chief Financial Officer John Lutsch said. "That is something we're going to have to look at very carefully as we go forward."

District 155's budget, which the school board is scheduled to vote on Tuesday, projects expenditures of about $89.2 million and revenues of about $88.9 million.

Lutsch said the apparent small deficit is the product of a $1 million project to build storage space at Prairie Ridge High School. Revenue for the project, which was finished this summer, is not reflected in this year's budget because the district already had the money at the beginning of the year - leading to an apparent deficit, Lutsch said.

"It's a one-time capital improvement that has nothing to do with year-in, year-out expenditures and revenues," Lutsch said.

Most of the $4.7 million in additional spending this year - about $3.2 million - will go toward increased salaries and benefits for district employees covered by collective bargaining contracts.

The district will spend an additional $800,000 in special education this year because of an influx of students qualifying for the program, Lutsch said.

An estimated $500,000 in federal stimulus money this year will help District 155 meet its special education needs and fund an additional $360,000 in new technology infrastructure, documents show.

Even with the federal funds, the tax bill for the owner of a $220,000 home is expected to rise this year from $1,336 to $1,367. The additional tax revenue will help pay for about $2.16 million in building upgrades at all four district high schools.